Shoulder-strap.



PATENTED JULY 23, 1907p F. A. PELTS.

SHOULDER STRAP.

APPLICATION TILED APR. 13,1908.

WITNESSES v INVENTOJ jztazvzrfl. TEL 2's 3 5 Q .B rm 7%% UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE- FRANK A. FELTS, OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK, ASSlGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES A. LEE, OF ONEIDA, NEW YORK.

SHOULDER-STRAP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1907.

Application filed April 13, 1906. Serial No. 311,419.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK A. Finds, a resident of Oneida, in the county of Madison and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shoulder-Straps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide an equalizing shoulder strap for carrying a pouch or bag at the wearers side, and more particularly adapted for use by mail carriers, sportsmen, etc.

A feature of my invention is that the weight of the pouch bag or otherwise is received and distributed substantially equally on the shoulders of the wearer.

Figure l-shows a perspective view of my improved carrying strap in the position which the same would occupy substantially on the user. Fig. 2 shows the strap laid out. Fig. 3 shows a form of buckle well adapted for use in connection with the strap, and provided for adjustments in length. Fig. 4 shows a section of flexible chain or connection and a trolley or roller adapted to run thereon, including a hook for supporting the pouch, the whole constituting an equalizing device. Fig. 5 shows an edge view of the trolley and hook shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the reference letters and figures in a more particular description, 1 indicates what may be termed the main portion of the strap adapted to pass diagonally from the side across the back of the user, upwardly and over the further shoulder and continued in a front portion, to the end of which a snap 2 will preferably be attached. A snap 3 is preferably provided on the rear end of this main portion.

4 indicates the branch or auxiliary portion, which is attached to and extends nearly at a right angle away from the middle of the back portion of part 1, and passes over the shoulder of the user nearer to the side at which the back or connection is carried, and down the front, terminating preferably in a hook 5. The hooks 2 and 5 are attached to a short piece of flexible connection 6, preferably a piece of fine link chain. A roller or trolley wheel 7 is adapted to run on this part 6 and said roller carries or supports the main hook R, which is preferably given a twisted form, as shown, whereby it is better adapted to engage with the ring usually provided on a mail bag, sportsmens pouch or otherwise.

To the ends of the chain or flexible connection 6 will be applied relatively large rings 6a and 6b, which are of a size not to pass through the opening provided in the hook chain Sunder the wheel 7. Thus, the connection 6 may be detached from the hook 2 or 5, preferably the former, when the user is desirous of removing the shoulder straps, without becoming disassembled.

It will be noted that the flexible connection 6 with the roller or trolley 7 equalizes the weight as between the straps which pass over both shoulders of the user, and also provide for a certain amount of flexibility, accommodating itself to the motions of the body of the user, as well as accommodating the strap to a position on the bagtoward the front or toward the rear on the side of the wearer. The forward ends of the straps 1 and 4 will preferably be adjustable; that is to say, made to be lengthened or shortened, by providing, for instance, an ordinary harness buckle.

It is evident that modifications and changes in and from the construction herein described may be made within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination in a shoulder strap for carrying pouches, etc., of a main supporting strap arranged to pass diagonally upward across the back of the user and over the farther shoulder from the pouch, a branch supporting 8O strap secured to the main strap at the back and arranged to pass over the other shoulder, a flexible connection be tween the front ends of the main and branch straps, a roller running on saidflexible connection and pouch engaging fasteners on said roller and the rear end of the main strap respectively, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination in a shoulder strap of a main supporting portion adapted to pass diagonally upward across the back of the user, over the farther shoulder, and a branch supporting portion attached to the main portion at the back and adapted to pass over the near shoulder of the user, and means connecting the ends of the two parts in front, and means for attachment to the pouch, substantially as set forth.

3. A shoulder strap consisting of the portions 1 and 4 adapted to pass over both shoulders of the wearer respectively, means for attaching the rear end of the portion 1 to a pouch, a connection between the two forward ends of the portions 1 and 4 and means on said connection for supporting a pouch, substantially as set forth.

l. The combination in a shoulder strap of the main portion 1 and the branch portion 4 connected together at the back, and adapted to pass over respectively both shoulders of the wearer, snaps 2, 3 and 5 attached to the ends of said portions respectively, a flexible connection 6 105 with enlarged rings Gu and 6-1) at each end, a roller and snap S mounted on said flexible connection and adapted to be held thereon by the rings Ga and 6-D, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination in a carrying strap of the character described of a main strap adapted to pass diagonally across the back of the wearer and over the further shoulder, a branch secured to the main strap and at the back and adapted to pass over the near shoulder of the wearer, means for attaching the rear end of the main strap to a pouch, a flexible connection between the forward ends of the main and branch straps, a trolley running on said flexible connection, means of attaching said trolley to a pouch and means for retaining the trolley on the connec- 10 tion when disengaged at one end from the strap, substantially as set forth.

In witness whereof, I have afiixed my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this second day of April 1906.

FRANK A. FELTS. Witnesses CHARLES R. Comnnr, JAMES MOORE. 

